Steelhead fishing 101

Went it my annual steelhead fishing trip this year.  We did fairly well.  For 5 days and 5 people  we caught and landed 101 fish. My totals were hooked 37 la red 24. It was tough fishing  of we did ok..

One of the reasons  we did better than average was the addition of a new technique. By adding an eighteen inch bead dropper off of the jig we were using, we increased our  success rate dramatically .  The setup pictured below was responsible for at least 50 hook sets. Thought I would share.

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Wobbler

Nice door.   

Interesting rig...  couple of questions for ya.  I assume the jig has a hook on it still, so I assume you are allowed 2 hooks for steelhead. 

Also what is your dropper line with the bead tied to?  The jig body? 

Last question, what type of bead?  Floater or hevi bead... or does it even matter.

Thanks.

My friend used to tie a fly onto the hook of a spinner with good results. I'd also like to know if the bead is tied onto the hook or attached some other way. I haven't given up on steelhead yet this year. I'll try that by all means if it will improve my numbers. (Got 3 so far this year )

Doing better than me... I haven't gotten any.   

Nice rig Steve.  I tired something similar this year.  What I did was tie the dropper line to the hook shaft of the jig and peg the bead(sinker) in place with a toothpick. 

The whole rig is set up as so:

The bobber is set up with a bobber stop on the main line. Next is a 1/2 inch corky followed by a 1 ounce bobber. Below the bobber comes a plastic bead then a 3/4 once in-line sinker. Below the sinker is 2 ft of 15# fluorocarbon leader attached to a 1/4 ounce jig. Tied to the jig shank is 18 inches of 10# leader with a #4 hook and a 14 mm orange bead (plastic). The bottom bead is pinned with a toothpick 4 inches above the hook. 

When fishing, set the bobber so that the jig is 6 inches above the bottom. This places the jig at the optimum fishing level and allows the bead to float at or near the bottom. 

Good luck!

Wobbler

Thanks Wobbler.  I'll give it a try next time I'm out.

Do you have a certain way you attach the second leader to the shank so it stays when a fish hits it?

I use an  improved clinch knot.

How does the location of the pinned in place  plastic bead work in relationship  to the lonely hook?  Why is it not sitting closer to the hook?

How does the location of the pinned in place  plastic bead work in relationship  to the lonely hook?  Why is it not sitting closer to the hook?

Pegging the bead a few inches from the hook helps minimize damage to the tounge and gills.  Most fish will be hooked in the corner of the jaw.

How does the location of the pinned in place  plastic bead work in relationship  to the lonely hook?  Why is it not sitting closer to the hook?

Pegging the bead a few inches from the hook helps minimize damage to the tounge and gills.  Most fish will be hooked in the corner of the jaw.

Inside or outside of the mouth?

Inside or outside of the mouth?

Yes.

As the fish takes the bead the hook slides into the lip. If the hook is to close it scares off the fish. 99% of steelhead are hooked solidly in the lip.  When I placed the bead closer the success rate dropped dramatically.